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Cowboys re-signed DC Rod Marinelli.

Marinelli let word leak that he was interested in reuniting with Lovie Smith in Tampa, and it prompted a swift, decisive effort from the Cowboys to lock him up. Retaining Marinelli was a must for the Cowboys after he helped turn a historically-bad unit into a competent one. Dallas allowed 6,645 yards and 432 points in 2013. Marinelli helped slash those numbers to 5,681 and 352, respectively. Marinelli's main task for 2015 will be goosing a pass rush that generated only 28 sacks this season, though the onus for that is more on owner/GM Jerry Jones, who must upgrade his defensive personnel. Tue, Jan 13, 2015 05:08:00 PM

Garrett also lavished praise on his defensive boss at Tuesday's season-ending presser. Initial reports had Marinelli bolting for longtime coaching confidant Lovie Smith in Tampa, but it now appears better than 50-50 that he'll remain in Dallas. Owner/GM Jerry Jones will surely be willing to open his wallet after Marinelli saved the Cowboys' defense in 2014. Tue, Jan 13, 2015 01:55:00 PM

There are conflicting reports on whether Rod Marinelli will be leaving the Cowboys to join Tampa Bay.

Coach Jason Garrett stated on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, "He's done a great job coordinating our defense this year. We have every intention of keeping Rod Marinelli in his current role as defensive coordinator." The Cowboys would like to retain Marinelli if possible, but his contract is up and he is loyal to Lovie Smith. We should know his decision in the coming days. Mon, Jan 12, 2015 01:36:00 PM

Profootballtalk's Mike Florio is "hearing" Cowboys DC Rod Marinelli is expected to become the Buccaneers' new defensive coordinator.

The whispers have been there since late in the season. Marinelli's loss would be a huge blow to Dallas' defense, which played well above its head in 2014, lacking pass-rush talent and losing Sean Lee to an ACL tear before the season even began. Marinelli is longtime pals with Lovie Smith and has coached in Tampa Bay before. Expect this marriage to be finalized in the coming days. Sun, Jan 11, 2015 05:13:00 PM

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Garrett also lavished praise on his defensive boss at Tuesday's season-ending presser. Initial reports had Marinelli bolting for longtime coaching confidant Lovie Smith in Tampa, but it now appears better than 50-50 that he'll remain in Dallas. Owner/GM Jerry Jones will surely be willing to open his wallet after Marinelli saved the Cowboys' defense in 2014.

There are conflicting reports on whether Rod Marinelli will be leaving the Cowboys to join Tampa Bay.

Coach Jason Garrett stated on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, "He's done a great job coordinating our defense this year. We have every intention of keeping Rod Marinelli in his current role as defensive coordinator." The Cowboys would like to retain Marinelli if possible, but his contract is up and he is loyal to Lovie Smith. We should know his decision in the coming days.

Profootballtalk's Mike Florio is "hearing" Cowboys DC Rod Marinelli is expected to become the Buccaneers' new defensive coordinator.

The whispers have been there since late in the season. Marinelli's loss would be a huge blow to Dallas' defense, which played well above its head in 2014, lacking pass-rush talent and losing Sean Lee to an ACL tear before the season even began. Marinelli is longtime pals with Lovie Smith and has coached in Tampa Bay before. Expect this marriage to be finalized in the coming days.

The move ends Monte Kiffin's disastrous one-year tenure as the Cowboys' coordinator. It's a clear upgrade, one that won't require an overhaul of Kiffin's "scheme." Marinelli espouses the same Tampa 2 principles as his former boss Kiffin. Marinelli served as Lovie Smith's defensive coordinator in Chicago from 2010-12. Marinelli isn't going to work any miracles with the bare cupboard GM Jerry Jones has left him on defense, but should resurrect the unit from the near all-time worst depths it plunged last season. Eight days after saying both Kiffin and OC Bill Callahan were safe, Jones has upgraded at both spots.

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The NFL has tabbed Harold Henderson to hear the appeal of Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension.

Henderson regularly oversees appeals hearings for the league, and the NFL tried to push him as an objective, non-biased party by having NFL Network reporters tweet that Henderson reduced Greg Hardy's suspension from ten games to four. However, PFT's Mike Florio -- an attorney by trade -- notes that Henderson's presence in the case "significantly" drops the chances of Zeke having the suspension overturned. "At best, he'll get a mild reduction," Florio wrote. Florio also states Henderson's hiring "significantly" increases the chances Elliott eventually files a lawsuit. Elliott's appeal will be heard on August 29.

One of the most impressive players through two weeks of preseason, Gathers was hurt in Tuesday's practice. Consider him week-to-week for now and doubtful for Dallas' third exhibition. Gathers has a 7-106-2 line this preseason.

It sounds like an AC joint sprain. The Dallas Morning News' Brandon George reports Green could be sidelined for two weeks. With Ronald Leary gone to Denver, the Cowboys were hoping Green would lock down their left guard vacancy. Jonathan Cooper and Joe Looney will now get longer looks for the job.